It's been a busy few weeks at Artist Trust. Just as we prepared to welcome daffodils, tulips and cherry blossoms, we found ourselves making plans for the transition of our executive director, Margit Rankin. After just over two years of service,  Margit and the board of directors have thoughtfully and mutually agreed to this transition culminating in Margit's resignation as Executive Director.
 
Margit came to Artist Trust in 2011 after having served as executive director of Seattle Arts & Lectures and associate director at University of Washington's Simpson Center for the Humanities. During her tenure at Artist Trust, she expanded our reach by increasing our statewide outreach efforts and improving artist access to services. She also secured one of the largest grants available to artists in our region.
 
While Margit's leadership has been invaluable, she is moved to work in new realms of the nonprofit and arts sectors. We are appreciative of Margit's work with Artist Trust and are confident she will continue to make a difference in the next organization where she serves.
 
Artist Trust will continue to honor its commitments. Our staff and board are prepared and equipped to keep things moving with the least possible disruption to our partners and those we serve. During this transition period, the Board will hire interim leadership and provide additional oversight as needed. We are confident in our team's ability to move forward. We anticipate a seamless transition and welcome your feedback during the process.
 
Artist Trust is growing. We're growing and exploring our potential to have a greater impact. We want to serve more artists, more deeply with more consistency across the state. We remain committed to our mission to support Washington State artists working in all creative disciplines. We're more excited than ever to blossom in the midst of this transition and make Artist Trust the organization you want and trust it to be.
 
Warmly,
 
Susan Wagner
Artist Trust Board President

• Samuel Green (2012 Fellowship recipient), whose book of poems, All That Might Be Done, was published by Carnegie Mellon University Press earlier this year.  
• Naoko Morisawa (EDGE 2012 graduate), who was chosen to participate in the Dublin Biennial 2014.   

And be sure to check out:

• Fast Forward, an exhibit featuring graduates of Artist Trust's 2013 EDGE Professional Development Program. May 9-June 13 at Phinney Center Gallery, Seattle. Reception May 9.